Thyroid weight gain feels like one of the most frustrating health battles— a battle you never signed up for, but somehow, you’re right in the middle of it. And you know what’s even worse? The solutions feel elusive, like some kind of well-guarded secret, hidden in the folds of medical jargon or ignored by the people you turn to for help. Here’s the thing: many doctors often gloss over the everyday strategies that could make a difference in your thyroid weight gain journey. It’s not that they want to keep you in the dark; it’s just that they’re trained to focus on medications or tell you to eat less and move more, which doesn’t quite cut it when your thyroid is holding your metabolism hostage.

But let’s get into the real deal—

Let’s discuss thyroid weight gain solutions that don’t involve endless blood tests or being told “just exercise more.” First things first, don’t underestimate the power of tweaking your diet. No, not cutting calories like you’re on some crash diet, but eating foods that actually support your thyroid function. Did you know that certain nutrients can help?

Selenium, zinc, and iodine are like the holy grail for thyroid health. Imagine your thyroid as a tiny but mighty engine in your body. If it’s not getting the right fuel, it’s going to sputter and slow down. So instead of slashing carbs like someone following a trendy diet, how about adding Brazil nuts (for selenium), shellfish (for zinc), and seaweed (for iodine) into your routine? Those three little tricks can sometimes work better than any flash in the pan weight loss program. And we’ve even found these to help some of our clients who have been stuck at their current weight for YEARS! (But did you know that you shouldn’t be consuming more than 1-2 Brazil nuts per day? – Don’t know why? Then you may need to speak with a doctor that truly understands what you’re going through.  You can speak with our doctors – TODAY)

Another thing that rarely gets enough attention is STRESS. Yeah, I said it. Your stress is probably as much to blame for your thyroid weight gain as that bowl of ice cream you devoured last night.

Cortisol—the stress hormone—can wreck your thyroid’s ability to function properly. And when that happens, the pounds pile on. It’s like a double-whammy, stress hitting you from one side, and your sluggish thyroid from the other. What do doctors usually say when you bring up stress? “Try to relax.” That’s it. Like it’s that easy, right?

Nope.

The real solution lies in actively managing your stress with things like meditation, yoga, or even just a walk around the block. But do it every day. Not once a month when you’re at your wit’s end. Regularly taking time to reset your mental state can do wonders for your thyroid and, in turn, help kickstart your metabolism.

Speaking of metabolism,

…let’s talk about exercise. But not just any exercise. When you’re dealing with thyroid issues, you’ve got to work smarter, not harder. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is your friend. Forget the hours of mind-numbing cardio or running on the treadmill for what feels like forever. HIIT workouts rev up your metabolism in ways that are perfect for battling thyroid weight gain. Think quick, intense bursts of effort followed by short recovery periods. It’s like lighting a fire under your metabolism, pushing your body to burn calories even after you’re done working out. And here’s the kicker: you can squeeze a good HIIT workout into just 20 minutes. Anyone telling you it needs to be longer is just wasting your time.

 Oh, and let’s not forget about sleep. I know it sounds like the most cliché advice ever, but honestly, sleep is underrated, especially when it comes to thyroid health. If you’re not getting enough good quality sleep, your body is going to hold onto fat like it’s preparing for hibernation. Eight hours of sleep should be non-negotiable. But the quality matters too. Ever wake up feeling like you didn’t sleep at all? That’s your body’s way of saying it didn’t go into the deep, restorative sleep needed to reset your hormones, including your thyroid. And without that reset, you’re fighting an uphill battle. Create a bedtime routine, get rid of that phone an hour before bed, and make sure your room is cool and dark.

Last but not least, let’s tackle supplements. This is where unknowing doctors often drop the ball, either ignoring it entirely or just prescribing some one-size-fits-all multivitamin. But there are specific supplements that can actually support thyroid function and help you shed that stubborn weight. Ashwagandha is one of them—a powerful adaptogen that helps balance cortisol and reduce stress on your thyroid. Another one to look out for is L-tyrosine, an amino acid that plays a crucial role in the production of thyroid hormones. But don’t just go popping pills without understanding how they interact with your body. Do your research or talk to one of our functional medicine doctors who understands the nuances of thyroid health.

So here we are: selenium, zinc, iodine, stress reduction, HIIT workouts, sleep, and targeted supplements. These are the thyroid weight gain solutions no one talks about. They’re not trendy, they’re not packaged as miracle cures, but they work. The best part? You don’t have to wait for a doctor’s approval to take charge of your health. Start small, make one change at a time, and watch your body slowly start to respond. The path to losing thyroid weight isn’t fast or flashy, but it’s real, and it’s totally within your reach.

If you’re tired of fighting this fight on your own, or you just don’t know were to turn next, book a Discovery Call with our team and we can help you with the next step on regaining your health and winning the weight gain battle.